Irwin Brar grew up watching his parents build a life from the ground up. Born in Vancouver, he moved to Alberta at age three when his family entered the hotel business. Much of his early childhood was spent in an Indian boarding school, where he learned discipline and independence. Those experiences shaped the steady, grounded outlook he carries into his work today.
When his father began building homes in 2005, Brar was never far from the job sites. He learned construction the way many tradespeople do—by paying attention, asking questions, and doing the work himself. After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, he blended hands-on skill with business knowledge, setting the foundation for his future career.
In 2018, he launched Apex Construction. What began as a small operation grew into a major builder of affordable housing, completing more than 400 units each year. His leadership style is calm and practical.
He listens, problem-solves, and keeps the focus on building homes that families can actually afford. As COO of Ridge Apartments, he continues to shape projects that support growing communities in Western Canada.
Outside of work, Brar finds creativity in cars. He buys, modifies, and shows them, calling it a way to relax and think clearly. Giving back is also central to his life. His family supports local youth programs in Redcliff and runs monthly food bank deliveries.
Brar’s journey shows how big work can come from simple ideas, steady habits, and a commitment to others—all rooted in the lessons he learned from his family and early life.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day starts early, usually before sunrise. I like quiet mornings when I can review schedules, read through updates, and map out priorities before the calls and site activity begin. I visit at least one job site every day. Walking the grounds, talking with teams, and seeing progress in person keeps me focused. Productivity for me comes from staying close to the work, not just managing it from a distance.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I start small. Most of my ideas come from noticing problems on-site—something that slows production or creates confusion for families moving in. I sketch a simple solution, try it with one team, and watch the results. If it works, we expand it. If not, we adjust. I learned early that steady improvements matter more than dramatic changes.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m interested in modular add-ons for improving older homes. Not full modular builds—everyone talks about those—but smaller components like insulated wall panels or prefab utility cores. They help extend the life of aging units without massive renovations.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Writing everything down. It’s a habit I picked up from boarding school in India. Simple lists keep me organized and prevent small tasks from disappearing in the chaos of construction.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Slow down. You don’t have to solve everything immediately. Observing before acting would have saved me a lot of stress.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I think old buildings are better teachers than new ones. Renovating them shows you how time reveals strengths and weaknesses that you’ll never see in a fresh build.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Walk the entire site—or the equivalent in whatever field you’re in. Seeing the real thing gives you insight no report can.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I go to my garage and work on a car. Fixing something mechanical forces my mind to slow down. Many of my clearest decisions come after an hour with a wrench in my hand.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Keeping operations simple. In the early days, I offered too many options to impress clients. It made everything slower. When I focused on the core work—affordable housing with clear timelines and processes—trust grew, and the business grew with it.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early on, I underestimated a multi-unit project timeline. Weather and supplier delays put us weeks behind. I took responsibility and created a new system that builds realistic buffers into every schedule. The lesson was humility and planning.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A marketplace for leftover construction materials. Small contractors waste a lot of usable product. A system for resale or donation would save money and help families in need.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
A simple project management app that syncs across devices. I track tasks, supplier notes, and site issues so I can move between office and field without losing information.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
A lesser-known book called The Man Who Loved Buildings. It’s full of stories about why people create things that last.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Rust Valley Restorers. The way they rebuild old cars with patience and humor reminds me to slow down and enjoy the process.
Key learnings
- Incremental improvements often create more meaningful progress than big, dramatic changes.
- Staying physically close to the work provides clarity and strengthens decision-making.
- Consistent habits and hands-on hobbies support focus, resilience, and productivity.